Mastodon Issues Ultimatum to Trump's Social Network

Truth Social Faces Potential Launch Delays Over Software Licensing

The impending launch of former President Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, is encountering potential obstacles. Mastodon, an open-source social media framework, has asserted that Truth Social is improperly presenting its software as proprietary, and a 30-day window for resolution has been issued.

Claims of Proprietary Code Usage

Founder and CEO of Mastodon, Eugen Rochko, detailed the issue in a blog post. The core concern isn’t merely the utilization of Mastodon’s framework, but rather the assertion of ownership over the underlying code. Initial code inspections of the pre-launch site revealed clear evidence of Mastodon code being used without appropriate attribution.

Rochko highlighted a concerning clause within Truth Social’s terms of service, which claimed complete ownership of the site’s source code and software. This directly contradicts the AGPLv3 license under which Mastodon is released, requiring public accessibility of source code and modifications for any network-based service utilizing it.

Understanding Open Source Licensing

Truth Social has not acknowledged its use of Mastodon, despite the evident integration of the framework’s code.

Open-source licenses are frequently employed, allowing free usage and modification of software, even by large corporations. However, this privilege is contingent upon public transparency and contribution back to the development community.

This model fosters collaboration between volunteer developers and companies investing in software improvement.

Consequences of License Violations

Unfortunately, these licenses are often disregarded. This can stem from a lack of understanding of the requirements, or a belief that the company is large enough to avoid repercussions. Violations can range from simple acknowledgement issues to a failure to document code changes.

The potential consequences of violations vary. A company using open-source software to circumvent paid license fees could face legal action for lost revenue. Alternatively, lawsuits may be filed to preserve the open-source nature of the code, as seen in the recent case involving Vizio.

The Impending Deadline

While many license violations go unnoticed, the high-profile nature of Truth Social’s actions likely won’t allow it to slip through the cracks. Mastodon has stipulated that Truth Social must acknowledge and publish the Mastodon-sourced code for review by November 26th, or their license will be revoked.

This course of action aligns with predictions made by the Software Freedom Conservancy, who emphasized that the AGPLv3 license’s “cure provision” applies universally, regardless of the user’s status.

Rochko confirmed to TechCrunch that copyright infringement avenues would be pursued if a license isn’t in place.

Mastodon’s Position

Rochko clarified that their primary concern isn’t the use of their software by the Trump team, but rather the failure to adhere to licensing terms.

Mastodon’s architecture is intentionally decentralized, preventing the company from unilaterally shutting down instances. This characteristic is ironically aligned with the desires of Trump’s supporters, who have criticized the centralized control of platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

Potential Outcomes for Truth Social

If Truth Social retracts its claims of independent development and acknowledges its use of Mastodon, it can avoid legal issues, though potentially at the cost of perceived originality.

Failure to comply could result in a lawsuit, forcing the company to develop its own code base – a task that may prove more challenging than anticipated.